Temple running back Montel Harris 35 yard touchdown run with just over a minute to play was the icing on the cake as the Owls celebrate their first Big East conference win since returning to the conference with a 37-28 win over the USF Bulls. The USF Bulls have lost their last four games, as Skip Holtz’ conference record now falls to 1-10 in his last eleven games.
The Bulls didn’t get off to a good start as the Owls offense seemed to move the ball at will over the Bulls defense. Following Maikon Bonani’s first miss of the season from 52 yards out, the Owls took the ball driving 65 yards on 6 plays to take the lead on a Chris Coyer 24 yard touchdown run. The Owls led 6-0 over the Bulls because of a missed extra point by Owls kicker Brandon McManus.
The Bulls answered back late in the first quarter as BJ Daniels found Lindsey Lamar for a 24 yard touchdown pass to take a 7-6 lead over Temple.
Temple’s kicker McManus gave the Owls a 9-7 lead as the two teams headed to the locker rooms for halftime connecting on a 50 yard field goal.
Following a lackluster first half for both teams, the Temple Owls scored four touchdowns on the USF defense which still has yet to record a single turnover this season.
Following a Lindsey Lamar 19 yard touchdown run to give the Bulls a 14-9 lead, Temple scored twice on a Matt Brown touchdown run and a Cody Booth 9 yard touchdown catch to take a 23-14 lead. The two teams would trade scores as USF was within two points with under two minutes to go.
The Bulls lined up for a 45 yard field goal with 1:11 left in the game to take the lead, but it was blocked and returned by Temple to seal the win for the Owls. Harris’ 35 yard touchdown was simply the icing on the cake for the Owls celebrate their first win in the Big East on their homecoming.
BJ Daniels passed 18-31, for 219 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Owls rushed for 216 yards including a season high 133 yards and two touchdowns by Montrel Harris.
The Bulls head to the bye week and will face Louisville on the road on the 20th of October
